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Meaning & use

parent or guardian

phrase·Everyday

Last updated

UK/ˌpeərənt ɔː ˈɡɑːdiən/
US/ˌperənt ɔːr ˈɡɑːrdiən/

Meanings

  1. phrasefixed phrase

    A child's mother, father, or the adult legally responsible for the child.

    Grammar: Used as a single noun phrase, often after 'a' or 'the': 'a parent or guardian must attend.'

    Patterns

    • a parent or guardian
    • the parent or guardian
    • parent or guardian permission

    Every student must bring a parent or guardian to the meeting.

    The form asks for the name of a parent or guardian.

    A parent or guardian has to sign the permission slip before the trip.

  2. phrasefixed phraselegalformal

    Used in legal and official contexts to mean the adult with legal responsibility for a child.

    Grammar: Often appears in rules, contracts, and school policies; it covers both biological parents and other legal carers.

    Patterns

    • the child's parent or guardian
    • by a parent or guardian
    • with a parent or guardian

    The child may only be released into the care of a parent or guardian.

    Under the rules, a parent or guardian must give written consent.

    The court appointed the grandmother as the child's parent or guardian.

Common combinations

written permission from a parent or guardian
You need written permission from a parent or guardian to join the club.
accompanied by a parent or guardian
Children under twelve must be accompanied by a parent or guardian.
a parent or guardian must sign
A parent or guardian must sign the last page of the application.
contact a parent or guardian
The school will contact a parent or guardian if a student is ill.

Synonyms and how they differ

guardian
Use 'guardian' alone when the adult is not the biological parent but has legal responsibility.
caregiver
Broader and less legal; it can mean anyone who looks after a child day to day, not necessarily a legal carer.
legal guardian
More formal and specific than 'parent or guardian'; it stresses the legal appointment.

Word family

parental adjective
Relating to a parent, as in 'parental consent'.
guardianship noun
The legal position or duty of being a guardian.
parenthood noun
The state of being a parent.

Commonly confused: parent or guardian or guardian angel? parent or guardian or custodian?

parent or guardian vs guardian angel

A 'guardian angel' is a protecting spirit, not a person with legal responsibility for a child.

parent or guardian vs custodian

A 'custodian' can mean a person with legal care of a child, but it also commonly means someone who cleans and looks after a building.

Practice

Complete the sentence: 'For the museum trip, each child needs permission from a parent or ____.'

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